Canada

Canada's Indigenous Cannabis Industry

2018 Business Opportunities

Canada legalized medical marijuana in 2001. The country will legalize recreational marijuana on July 1, 2018 becoming the world's largest industrial nation to do so.

Marijuana product standards and grower licenses will be issued by the federal government, and distribution and retail sales will be regulated by the provinces.

Legalized marijuana is expected to become a multibillion-dollar industry, and many First Nations are looking for ways to profit from it. They are seeking business opportunities and job creation for their people.

First Nation Marijuana Businesses | Considerations

Examples of cannabis business positioning by First Nations prior to federal legalization:

Alberta

Siksika Nation
The Siksika Nation has applied for a medical marijuana license and plans to spend $14.2M to build a 25,000 sq-ft processing facility.

British Columbia

Penticton Indian Band
The Penticton Indian Band plans to cultivate medical marijuana on their reserve to help serve First Nation peoples.

Indigenous Roots
Indigenous Roots is a medicinal cannabis company founded as a joint venture between Phil Fontaine, former National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, and the Cronos Group, a licensed marijuana grower.
It is headquartered outside Kelowna. The company works with First Nations to help them set up licensed facilities, help their business operations, and supply First Nations members with medical cannabis.

Manitoba

Opaskwayak Cree Nation, Long Plain First Nation, and Peguis First Nation
Dec 15, 2017 - These 3 First Nations along with National Access Cannabis are starting a new network recreational cannabis stores to be located on First Nation land. News article

National Indigenous Medical Cannabis Association (NIMCA)
Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory
NIMCA is a national Indigenous organization promoting an Indigenous cannabis industry. It plans to to set up branches in every province of Canada. NIMCA was launched March 24, 2017http://indigenousmedicalcannabis.org

Quebec

Kahnawake Mohawk Territory
In March 2017 the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake announced seeking information about the medical cannabis industry and subsequently organized a Cannabis Working Group. Later that year the Council announced a moratorium
on all production, distribution and sales of cannabis in their territory. They will write and pass their own cannabis legislation before lifting the moratorium.